Sunday, 20 March 2016

Lego Speed Champions

Lego's Speed Champions range was recently expanded with some new sets and models. The second phase adds the following individual models and larger sets, their boxes have green text rather than the original blue.

Audi R8 LMS Ultra

Audi R18 e-tron Quattro

Ford Mustang GT

Chevrolet Corvette Z06

Chevrolet Camaro Drag Race

Ford F-150 Raptor & Ford Model A Hot Rod

Porsche 919 Hybrid and 917K Pit Lane

In this post I'll be building the two new Audi models, first up it's the R8 LMS Ultra. As with the first issue sets, each individual car comes with an accessory and an appropriately dressed minifigure. This set includes a driver with an R8 logo race suit and blue helmet, the accessory is a mini podium with trophy.
All of the previous Speed Champions cars were built around the same basic chassis and all use the same wheel arch pieces, these new Audi licensed cars keep the format the same. Also returning are the choice of two wheel trims, here we get a 5-spoke and a multi-spoke design to choose from.
The R8 model makes use of nicely printed stickers for the tricky parts and to add more colour and detail to certain areas. This is most noticeable at the front with the Audi headlights and grille being printed. The detail on the front also includes an air splitter under the bumper.
The rear has some nice detail too, complex parts like the tail lights and centre exhausts are printed on, but the rear diffuser is a specially designed piece. The large rear wing has some good adjustment and can be set at various angles.
Overall the R8 LMS feels very solid and seems like a slight upgrade in detail from the first range of Speed Champions cars.

Next up I'll take a look at the Audi R18 e-tron quattro hybrid. I'd been looking forward to this kit ever since I saw the announcement from Lego. Seeing it up close, I think they did a pretty good job at replicating the intricacies of the aerodynamic body. Like the R8 there are a lot of small stickers to add details, and there is a nicely designed rear diffuser and rear wing.
This set comes with a driver minifigure in a printed Audi Sport racing suit with black helmet. The accessory is a fuel rig complete with flexible hose which the minifigure can hold and pose with.

The R18 is slightly longer than the R8 though still the same width. It uses the more aerodynamic windscreen piece as previously seen on the McLaren P1 and LaFerrari. The R18 feels a little less solid than the R8, likely a result of a more intricate and complicated body shape using more small pieces. Be careful when putting on the stickers too as I got the headlights upside down the first time, so make sure to pay attention.

I'm pretty pleased with how these Audi models turned out. For around £12 each they are well worth adding to your collection!